The order books are now open for the 727hp car, which claims to offer up to 67km of emissions-free driving before needing a charge The new BMW M5 Touring. Photo: Fabian Kirchbauer You’d wonder who would pay €138,500 for a posh estate. Well, obviously someone has the wherewithal to buy, otherwise BMW would hardly bother making a 727hp M5 Touring.
This plug-in hybrid is a powerfully potent mix of practicality with performance: 0-100kmh in 3.6 seconds, along with a combined output of 727hp – the same as the M5 saloon – and a phenomenal 1,000Nm of torque (pulling power) too. This is the first M5 Touring to have an electrified drive system.
Playing a major role in that system is a high-revving 4.4-litre V8 engine, with M TwinPower Turbo technology, and an electric motor integrated into the transmission. The estate shape helps with its practicality: load-carrying capacity can be as much as 1,630 litres to take work, leisure or family items with ease.
The rear seats also split 40:20:40, with a through-loading capability for longer items. And because you can plug it in at home or at a public charger, you can, they claim, get up to 67km of emissions-free driving. Order books are now open and Irish customers can expect to get delivery of the car early next year.
A long wheelbase, wide tracks, low centre of gravity and 50:50 weight distribution, as well as more rigid body and chassis technology, stacks up the sort of handling and ride you’d expect for your €138,500 investm.